Gender Equality Required to Tackle Both Business and Societal Challenges, Says Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC)

AESC, representing the leading executive search and leadership consulting firms in 70+ countries, today celebrates International Women's Day and the achievements of women and girls around the world.

As much of the world begins to carve a post-pandemic path forward, it is essential there be an ambitious future for women, states the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) in observance of International Women’s Day. To deliver the impact necessary to meet both business and societal challenges, women need equal representation, access and opportunity, or else we lose the power and influence of half the world's population.

From building back better in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic to addressing climate change and the crisis now unfolding in Ukraine, it is imperative that women have equal input and influence as part of the solution. As an association, AESC and its members are rigorous champions of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), outlined as a core tenet of the AESC Code of Professional Practice.

“Gender inequality is at the root of many of society’s greatest ills," states AESC President and CEO, Karen Greenbaum. “Sixty percent of the world’s chronically hungry are women and girls. Women make up more than two-thirds of the world’s illiterate. Less than 20% of the world’s landholders are women. How can we even begin to reach our potential as society or business if so many women and girls around the world remain blocked from such basic access to health, education and income? The answer is simple, we cannot.

As corporations begin to bear more of the responsibility for addressing key societal issues, it's clear the leadership of the past will no longer work to secure a future that works for all. Women and talent from underrepresented demographics must make up a diverse spectrum of leadership to drive change and innovation, but also help close societal gaps that create fewer opportunities for women and girls at such a fundamental level.

Greenbaum added:

We won't have the adaptability, agility or innovation required in business or society without equal opportunity for women and girls, from the basic level of access to education, health and employment, all the way to leadership. That is why it is so essential to #BreaktheBias and support equality fully. AESC and its members are committed to driving change in our profession, with clients, and in the communities we serve. I look forward to continued work with our members, client organizations and partners around the world in delivering leadership that fully includes women and building better paths for girls to be future leaders.

A recent AESC report Adaptative Leaders, Culture & Strategy makes clear that leaders, culture and bias are all keys to breaking down barriers for women and other underrepresented people. AESC members are trusted advisors to organizations around the world in the areas of leaders, teams and culture—they support organizations to ensure they are benefitting from the full spectrum of talent for maximum success. This means access to diverse talent, an employer brand that can attract diverse talent, and an inclusive culture that will nurture and support it.

As part of the AESC Diversity Pledge, AESC and its members commit to using their collective voices and actions to help create a world that is inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible for all, and that includes women and girls. To ensure tangible actions aligned with their Pledge, over the past year AESC has appointed AESC Regional Diversity Leadership Councils across North America; Latin America; Europe and Africa; and Asia Pacific. The AESC Diversity Leadership Councils are comprised of representatives from AESC member firms and founded to ensure progression in the mission laid forth in the pledge to drive change in their own organizations, with candidates and the clients they serve, and in their communities.

To date, AESC has made measurable progress in tracking toward gender parity within the profession it represents. Over the past year, women at the consultant level within AESC membership has increased from 44% globally to 46%, and for all roles, 52% women in 2021 to 53% in 2022. The association will continue to work with its AESC Diversity Leadership Councils to strengthen diversity and inclusion within the profession, while its members at large support organizations across industries to achieve gender balance on Boards and C-suites, and diversity more broadly.

About AESC

Since 1959, AESC has set the quality standard for the executive search and leadership consulting profession. AESC Members represent 16,000+ trusted professionals in 1,200+ offices, spanning 70+ countries. AESC Members are recognized experts providing consulting services in the areas of leaders, teams and culture to the world’s leading organizations. They leverage their access and expertise to place more than 100,000 executives each year in board of directors and C-level positions across industry sectors. Dedicated to strengthening leadership worldwide, AESC and its members share a deep commitment to the highest quality standards in executive search and leadership consulting—for the benefit of clients and the profession. We Shape. Connect. Educate. Learn more about us at aesc.org. For AESC’s career service connecting executive-level candidates to the world’s leading executive search firms, visit bluesteps.com.